Go to "File > Configure UI" and make sure that points and outlines are turned on for the solid view that you are using. When adding splines, make sure that the reference image is at or behind the origin. Splines that are behind the image can not be seen. When adding edges, you can make the image partially transparent so that you can see points and edges behind it. This does not work for splines though.

I don't use reference images often, so I'm not sure I understand what you want to do. It is true that you can't see the image in wireframe, but I am able to add edges in solid view with points and outlines turned on.

Im just using a reference image,so I can trace over a picture...vs using a canned premade object,,this way its unique.

Only trouble is Im not sure how to extrude points, from front view...I need to do that,, as Im creating a tree from ref. image...I used a tube and scaled(n) and moved (m) as I went,but its about to run around and I have a lot of tree left ( huge picture of my front yard huge maple tree).

Is there possibly a way to extrude points yet ...if not that..if I could figure out how to add a 'loop', then extruding wouldn't be necessary atm.

I don't know about extruding points. Once you have made a closed shape by adding edges, you can choose "Fill Holes" from the Edit menu, then extrude the resulting faces. You can use splines in a similar way, using "Fill" from the Build menu. Also, once you have your outline, you may want to use the Arc-Rotate to continue to add edges and faces to your model. Check out this page from the manual: http://www.anim8or.com/learn/manual/4_object_editor.html

I don't know about extruding points. Once you have made a closed shape by adding edges, you can choose "Fill Holes" from the Edit menu, then extrude the resulting faces. You can use splines in a similar way, using "Fill" from the Build menu. Also, once you have your outline, you may want to use the Arc-Rotate to continue to add edges and faces to your model. Check out this page from the manual: http://www.anim8or.com/learn/manual/4_object_editor.html

I'm going to just keep on with the tube I made to initially start model. It worked out great initially, but now that I am at end of the tube, I needed to extrude top face, which isn't easy.

I'm relatively new to using anim8tor though I love it, as blender wont' work in Windows xp anymore, so anim8tor is a god send , really enjoying using it just takes a tad of getting used to given I can't extrude verts here.

My wip was a bit wonky as I didnt' realize ( due to modeling something from ref images can be challenging at times) a part of model ( not a huge deal, just annoying) had been incorrectly moved, so I had to delete those areas , then all was fine, then I selected leftover edges and filled and extruded that face as many times as I needed as I was working up the tree.

Worked fine.

I did find a very kewl youtube anim8tor video ( short clips of various features), where you make a spline , create a ngon circle near it, then choose extrude and use, I think it was, path option. THat creates a result similar to extruding text or such, and is perfect ( as a alternative way of doing limbs) way for doing trees I think, so I"ll prob. try that method out later.